Top 10 Tips from Carrie and Kirsti

Marching On with Mentor Text Study Kick Off Post

February 28, 2022 post

By Carrie Charley Brown and Kirsti Call, Founders of ReFoReMo

In 2015, the Reading for Research Month (ReFoReMo) Challenge was founded with a goal to help writers establish a regular routine of analyzing pictures books as mentor texts. The benefit of feasting on numerous well-crafted texts as models-in-action was easy to see when reading hundreds of CYBILS nominees in just over one month. We wanted other writers to experience the same binge-diet analysis coupled with perspectives from Kidlit professionals. To keep it more equitable, the experience remained free, just like checking out a book from the library.

After devoting our hearts and time to serving the writing community for 7.5 years, we retired the challenge and blog in August 2021. Knowing how many writers love the challenge and rely on it for inspiration and accountability every March, we wondered if someone else might like to pick up where we left off. Luckily, Lynne Marie approached us with interest in continuing the tradition. We felt she had the passion and dedication to honor the heart of our mission: Free picture book education. Now, you have the opportunity to March On with Lynne Marie at the wheel! But before you do, we have a few recommendations for getting the most craft-education out of a reading challenge.

Kirsti & Carrie’s Top Ten Tips

10- Consider ALL picture books recommended by each guest post. Rather than thinking, “I don’t write nonfiction,” or “It’s not my style,” research ALL recommendations and even challenge yourself to write in a new direction.

9- Re-read something you’ve already read, and look at it with new analytical eyes. The professional who writes the post may reveal a new perspective that could change what you take away from a text.

8- Discuss the books and educational posts with other creators! Jump in on the conversation and share your own revelations. Your personal needs might fill gaps for you quicker, but diversifying your experience with more perspectives will educate deeper.

7- Consider how one or two posts address your specific needs, and find more mentor texts that will help you study the same need. Just because a mentor text is not mentioned in a post does not mean that’s where your limits lie.

6- Reading 4-7 books per day for an entire month is a daunting task. Pace yourself. Be kind to yourself if you can’t complete it within just one month. Picture book education is always available to you.

5- Dedicate a special journal for your Mentor Text ideas and notes!

4- The analysis counts the most. Use your notes to come back to the books that reveal “a-has” for you.

3- Read the mentor texts aloud to find out what sounds musical to your ears! Remember (and write down!) what works and what doesn’t.

2- When you find elements in a picture book that you love, find ways to infuse those elements into your own writing!

And the #1 tip is… HAVE FUN! Reading and writing picture books is all about JOY!

So, where will this challenge take you? Will it open your eyes to the current picture book market? Will it give you an intimate feel for the form? Or perhaps it will help you hone in on your personal needs… crafting a bold beginning, perfecting your plot, picking up your pace, whacking away at your word count, and more. Personalize your experience, but also keep an open mind. You might be surprised where you March.

Art by Lori Nawyn

Carrie Charley Brown is the founder and co-coordinator of ReFoReMo. She still eats, sleeps, and breathes picture books as an elementary school librarian and children’s writer. Carrie serves as a 12 x 12 Critique Ninja and contributed as a CYBILS fiction picture book judge and regional advisor for SCBWI North Texas. Her publications include ghostwritten projects and teacher resources. Carrie has a Masters of Education in School Library Media and an endorsement in Literacy. She loves motivating people of all ages to discover the joy of reading by connecting personal interests. You can find her on Twitter at @carriebrowntx and @CRunLibrary.

Kirsti Call co-hosts the PICTURE BOOK LOOK podcast, is a critique ninja for 12×12, and has judged the CYBILS award for fiction picture books since 2015. She is a therapist trained life coach for creatives. Kirsti's the author of MOOTILDA'S BAD MOOD (Little Bee) COW SAYS MEOW (HMH), COLD TURKEY (Little Brown) and THE BIG SCREAM (Little Simon). Kirsti is represented by Charlotte Wenger at Prospect Agency.

PRIZE: In honor of Carrie and Kirsti's creation and dedication for Mentor Texts, Lynne Marie will be giving away TWO (2) Rate Your Story (www.rateyourstory.org/speed-pass) Speedpasses to two (2) lucky winners. Please make sure to comment on this and every blogpost for this challenge. Extra entries for sharing this post on social media. Please include a link to where you shared it in your comment. If you are already a Rate Your Story Member, please note in your comment and you will get three (3) targeted / speedpass upgrades instead.